Pharma/fine chemicals roundup—15 January

Aptuit (Greenwich, CT) says it has signed a long-term supply agreement with Aegerion Pharmaceuticals (Cambridge, MA), for commercial quantities of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) lomitapide. Lomitapide is Aegerion’s orphan drug that is targeted to the treatment of a rare disease caused by a genetic disorder. The drug received new drug application (NDA) approval in December of 2012 and is expected to be launched commercially this month. Previously, Aptuit scientists had established the chemistry for lomitapide, developed and validated its analytical methods, delivered solid state form control and crystallization R&D, and supplied registration batches of material. Post-launch, Aptuit will continue to supply commercial quantities of lomitapide to Aegerion.

AMRI appoints head of API manufacturing

Albany Molecular Research Inc. (AMRI; Albany) says that Richard A. Saffee has been promoted to the newly created role of v.p. and general manager of large-scale manufacturing, effective immediately. He will continue to report to Steven R. Hagen, senior v.p./pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Saffee will assume oversight for large-scale manufacturing at Aurangabad, India, in addition to his current responsibilities for leadership of AMRI’s large-scale manufacturing and GMP business in the United States in the capital region of New York. Additionally, Saffee will work with AMRI’s Holywell, UK, site to assist them in their large-scale manufacturing business. Saffee will be positioned to drive synergies between the locations that will improve quality, efficienc,y and delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), AMRI says.

Siegfried (Zofingen, Switzerland), a producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), pharma intermediates, and finished dosage form products, says that its board of directors, at the shareholders’ meeting on 18 April 2013, will propose the appointment of Colin Bond, chief financial officer of Evotec (Hamburg, Germany), to the board. Bond joined Evotec in 2010 and the company provides a wide range of research and development services in the field of pharmaceutical ingredients. Following career stations as a pharmacist, chartered accountant and management consultant, he worked for 25 years as chief financial officer for several international companies in various industries, of which 11 years for Great Lakes Chemical Corp., which is now Chemtura. “We are very happy to propose to our board such a convincing entrepreneur as Colin Bond. He will represent a valuable addition to the board thanks to his profound experience in the finance sector and in the pharmaceutical industry, his proven capacity for strategic thinking, and his international connections,” says Gilbert Achermann, chairman of Siegfried’s board of directors.

Hikma to acquire Egyptian Company for Pharmaceuticals & Chemical

Hikma Pharmaceuticals (London) says it has agreed to acquire the Egyptian Company for Pharmaceuticals & Chemical Industries (EPCI) from a consortium of shareholders, for about $22.2 million. The transaction is expected to close by 14 February 2013. The acquisition strengthens Hikma’s position in the large and fast growing Egyptian market; adds a complementary portfolio of 35 products in 46 dosage forms and strengths, including 3 original cephalosporin anti–infective brands for the Egyptian market. The Egyptian pharmaceutical market is one of the largest and fastest growing Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets; with a population of about 844 million people, the Egyptian market offers excellent growth opportunities, Hikma says. Hikma Egypt is currently the seventeenth largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in Egypt, with an estimated market share of 1.6%
“Since we entered the Egyptian market in 2007, we have been rapidly growing our presence. This acquisition will further accelerate that growth, expanding our product portfolio and adding additional manufacturing capacity and technologies,” says Said Darwazah, CEO of Hikma.

China to cut prices of 400 drugs

The Chinese government says that prices of 400 drugs will be reduced by an average 15% starting 1 February 2013. The National Development and Reform Commission (Beijing) will cap the retail prices of 20 categories of drugs used to treat respiratory illnesses, pains and fever. Prices for medications used to treat cancer, blood diseases and illnesses related to the nervous system have been cut since 2011.

Foster Wheeler acquires pharma construction management company

Foster Wheeler says it has acquired Yonkers Industries (Cary, NC), a management firm specializing in the construction and commission of pharmaceutical and biotech facilities. Yonkers also has engineering, procurement and construction management capabilities, the company says. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.